For the first time in nine attempts dating back 23 years they claimed the scalp of five-times World Cup winners Brazil.

Of course friendly results mean little but this was the perfect fillip for Roy Hodgson’s side after such a dismal end to 2012 when they scraped a point in Poland and were then embarrassed by a Zlatan Ibrahimovic inspired Sweden

Wayne Rooney’s 33rd goal for his country and a fine finish from substitute Frank Lampard ensured England will go into next month’s 2014 World Cup qualifying double-header on a high.

A trip to San Marino will be routine but it’s the showdown with Group H leaders Montenegro that will go a long way to deciding England’s fate.

Whether last night will help them prepare for a cauldron in Podgorica is debatable. That will be a very different challenge when character will be as important as quality.

Hodgson may have a job on his hands getting England to Rio but it’s nothing compared to that facing Felipe Scolari, who is entrusted with the task of lifting the World Cup on home soil.

Brazil look a pale shadow of the great teams of the past. For all their trick and flicks, they created little and defensively they were woeful.

Prior to kick-off there was a special presentation to Steven Gerrard, who received a commemorative golden cap from Peter Shilton to mark his century of England appearances.

The Liverpool skipper maintained his excellent recent club form as he led by example. The quality of Gerrard’s deliveries into the box provided some anxious moments early on for a backline marshalled by Chelsea’s erratic David Luiz.

However, too often possession was carelessly spurned and with the pace and invention of Ronaldinho, Luiz Fabiano and Neymar the Brazilians settled and counter-attacked with menace.

Gary Cahill did just enough to prevent Santos superstar Neymar from latching on to Oscar’s through ball.

Oscar then fired narrowly over after a surging run from Neymar before Glen Johnson blocked Fabiano’s strike.

Brazil were handed a golden opportunity to break the deadlock in the 18th minute when Ronaldinho’s cross was handled by Jack Wilshere in the area.

Ronaldinho took responsibility but his spot-kick was expertly saved by Joe Hart, who then reacted quickly to deny him from the follow-up.

That let-off appeared to energise England with widemen Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott finally coming to life.

Wilshere also began to show why there is genuine excitement about what his central midfield partnership with Gerrard could yield.

This was the first time the master and the apprentice have started an international together and the signs were promising. They combined expertly to tee up Welbeck, who couldn’t provide the finishing touch as he blazed high and wide.

England’s resurgence was rewarded with the opening goal in the 27th minute. Wilshere slotted the perfect pass in behind Adriano for Walcott to run on to.

The Arsenal forward’s shot was saved by the legs of Julio Cesar but Rooney clinically swept home the rebound.

Supporters adhered to the pre-match pleas to show respect for Ashley Cole on his 100th cap.

The Chelsea full-back became the seventh player to reach a century for England after Bobby Charlton, David Beckham, Billy Wright, Bobby Moore, Peter Shilton and Gerrard.

But Cole’s days at this level are surely numbered. The 32-year-old endured a wretched 45 minutes before Hodgson dragged him off.

The efforts of Everton’s Leighton Baines at left-back in the second half only rammed home the fact that Cole remains ahead of him in the pecking order only on reputation rather than performances.

Cole was a weak link on his special night and almost allowed Brazil to swiftly restore parity.

Oscar raced away from him far too easily down the right flank. His cross picked out Neymar at the back post but he sliced over the bar with the net gaping.

England survived and finished the first half on top with Rooney’s 25-yard piledriver whistling just wide before Walcott forced another decent save from Cesar.

Hodgson made two changes at the break as Baines replaced Cole and Lampard was introduced at the expense of the ineffective Tom Cleverley.

Once again Gerrard led the charge in the second half and after his dipping 20-yarder was spilt by Cesar, Wilshere stabbed the rebound wide.

England were still rueing that miss when in the 48th minute Brazil were gifted an equaliser.

Cahill tried to bring the ball out from the back but sloppily over-ran it. Fabiano pounced and found Fred, who hammered an unstoppable left-footer past Hart.

As the Brazilians celebrated, the Chelsea defender buried his head in his hands in a bid to hide his embarrassment.

Seconds later England were fortunate not to fall behind. Hart’s poor clearance struck Cahill and dropped to Fred. Hart could only stand and watch as his curler clipped the bar.

The hosts rallied and benefited from the fact that the Brazilians were equally suspect defensively.

Cahill powered a header goalwards from Gerrard’s corner but Cesar thwarted him by tipping it over.

Walcott had plenty of joy against Adriano down the right and on the hour mark England regained the lead.

Substitute Arouca gave it away cheaply on the edge of his own box and Lampard met Rooney’s pass with a sweetly struck side-footed finish which went in off the post.

It was the first time England had scored twice past Brazil since John Barnes lit up the Maracana in 1984.

Hodgson’s side could have added to their tally with Baines whipping in one inviting cross but no-one could get the touch required to turn it beyond Cesar.

Brazil pressed in search of an equaliser late on but Fred and Oscar both fired wide as the hosts comfortably held on for a morale-boosting victory.